Aerosol dispenser can

ABSTRACT

The aerosol dispenser can comprises a can containing liquid under pressure which is provided with a valve control at the discharge end thereof. A first tube is disposed interiorly of said can and extends downwardly from the valve, the tube having a plurality of holes therein. A second tube is provided in communication with the valve and is disposed within the first tube, the second tube being approximately one-half the length of the first tube and having a plurality of holes disposed therein. The combination of tubes permits the dispensing of the propellant in a vapor form while preventing any of the liquid propellant from being dispensed in the form of droplets.

' United States Patent [191 Friedman et al.

Oct.14, 1975 AEROSOL DISPENSER CAN 22 Filed: July 5, 1974' [21] Appl. No.: 485,822

[52] US. Cl. ZZZ/402.1; 222/564; 239/590.5 [51] Int. Cl. B65D 83/14 [58] Field of Search 222/4021, 402.18, 402.19,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,183,639 12/1939 Buidick et a1 222/40218 x Primary Examiner-Stanley H. Tollberg Assistant Examinerl-ladd Lane Attorney, Agent, or FirmKirschstein, Kirschstein, Ottinger & Frank ABSTRACT The aerosol dispenser can comprises a can containing liquid under pressure which is provided with a valve control at the discharge end thereof. A first tube is disposed interiorly of said can and extends downwardly from the valve, the tube having a plurality of holes therein. A second tube is provided in communication with the valve and is disposed within the first tube, the second tube being approximately one-half the length of the first tube and having a plurality of holes disposed therein. The combination of tubes permits the dispensing of the propellant in a vapor form while preventing any of the liquid propellant from being dispensed in the form of droplets.

1 Claim, 3 Drawing Figures AEROSOL DISPENSER CAN BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Fieldof the Invention The invention relates to an aerosol can and more particularly to one which provides two dip tubes to permit the dispensing of a fine mist without dispensing liquid droplets.

2. Description of the Prior Art Heretofore, it has been known in the prior art to provide a valve arrangement at the top of an aerosol can which permits the ejection of a purported spray. Unfortunately, the prior art has failed to provide a valve and dip tube arrangement which would negate the emission of the propellant in the liquid state.

The problem has been and continues to be that no mechanical arrangement has been provided which will permit the dispensing of a pure mist.

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION It is the general object of the present invention to avoid and overcome the foregoing and other prior deficiencies by providing an aerosol can which is still inexpensive to manufacture and permits the emission of a fine mist.

Another object of the present invention is to eliminate emission of a liquid through an aerosol cans usage.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a mechanical arrangement of tubes which prevents the dispensing of a liquid but permits formation of a fine mist to be dispensed from the aerosol container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The foregoing objects and other objects which will become apparent as the description proceeds are achieved by providing an aerosol container having a valve disposed in the upper end thereof, said valve arrangement being spring biased and communicating with a first outer tube which extends downwardly into the interior hole of said can, a second tube communieating with said valve and disposed interiorly of said first tube. A plurality of holes disposed in said first and second tubes to prevent the dispensing of pure liquid through said valve and permit the dispensing of a fine mist.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the present invention reference should be had to the accompanying drawings wherein like numerals of reference indicate similar parts throughout the respective views and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol can shown dispensing a fine mist;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the aerosol can; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the relationship of the first and second tubes.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Although the principles of the present invention are particularly applicable to other areas, it should be particularly understood that the invention is limited to the use of the principle disclosed for aerosol cans.

Referring now to FIG. 1 the present improved dispenser is generally indicated by the reference numeral l0 and is provided with a hollow can 12 having an inwardlyv arched bottom wall 14 and frusto-conical top wall 16 with a circular opening 18 therein. The can 12 is of conventional configuration and the can may take the form of 6, 8 or 10-inch heights. Attached to the upper end of the can and insertable in the opening 18 there is provided a standard aerosol valve system 20. A cup-like structure 22 is pressed fitted into the opening 18 and serves as a retaining member for a valve 24. The valve 24 is spring actuated and is of a standard configuration well known to those skilled in the art. The valve is provided with a dispensing cap 26 which has an opening 28 therein which permits the emission and dispensing of the mist 30.

The lower half of the valve 24 has a cylindrically shaped member 34 which contains the spring biasing member 36 and is provided therein with a hollow interior 38. The lower portion of the valve has provided in its bottom wall an orifice 40.

In order to utilize the standard aerosol vapor nozzle existing spray systems now employ, I provide a first dip tube 42 which is generally tubular and which is flared 44 outwardly at the bottom 46 thereof. The outer tube is provided with at least one hole 48 disposed around the periphery of the outer tube. In order to prevent the dispensing of liquid as opposed to a vapor I provide a second dip tube 50 which is disposed in the opening 40 in the bottom wall 39 portion of the lower valve 34 and which extends downwardly within the hollow interior portion 52 of the first tubular dip stick 42 approximately one-half the length of the first dip tube or stick 42.

It should be noted that both the inner and outer dip tubes are sealed at the bottom and are properly sized and placed with orifices such that by keeping the liquid level of the aerosol propellant below the orifice 48 of the outer dip tube 42 one can spray in any direction propellant vapor where only vapor is provided.

It should be further noted that the length of the inner dip tube is approximately one-half the length of the outer dip tube and the outer dip tube is sized such that in any direction the liquid level of the propellant within the can does not touch the orifice end of the dip tube. The sizes of the orifices or holes within the inner dip tube or outer tube are sized in accordance with the type spray required. While the required diameter of the inner and outer dip tubes may be sized such that liquid propellant enters the orifice of the outer tube, while jostling or jarring the container, the liquid will vaporize before the propellant reaches the orifice of the inner dip tube. In this manner only vapor will be emitted from the dispenser valve.

It will now be seen from the foregoing that there has been provided an especially simple mechanism type dispenser wherein the tendency for the liquid to escape or be dispensed is wholly minimized and whereby the structure itself is simple and efficient to manufacture.

While in accordance with the patent statutes, a preferred embodiment has been described in detail, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby.

What is claimed is:

1. An aerosol dispenser can comprising:-

a. a can having a discharge at an upper end and containing liquid propellent and vapor under pressure at a lower end, said liquid propellent establishing a liquid level within said can;

b. a valve control at said discharge end of said can; being closed at its bottom end, and having a pluralc. a first tu interiorly f Said can eXtending dOWnity of holes therein, said plurality of said holes in wardly from said valve control through said vapor said second tube being disposed closer to said valve but terminating before said liquid level, said first tube being closed at its bottom end and having a 5 h a] d plurality of holes therein; and w en sai v ve 1s opene sai vapor w1 pass d. a Second tube approximately one ha1f the length of though said holes in said first tube and through said id fi t b di d i hi id fi t b i valve, while said liquid will be retained in said can. communication with said valve, said second tube than said plurality of holes in said first tube, so that 

1. An aerosol dispenser can comprising:a. a can having a discharge at an upper end and containing liquid propellent and vapor under pressure at a lower end, said liquid propellent establishing a liquid level within said can; b. a valve control at said discharge end of said can; c. a first tube interiorly of said can extending downwardly from said valve control through said vapor but terminating before said liquid level, said first tube being closed at its bottom end and having a plurality of holes therein; and d. a second tube approximately one-half the length of said first tube disposed within said first tube in communication with said valve, said second tube being closed at its bottom end, and having a plurality of holes therein, said plurality of said holes in saiD second tube being disposed closer to said valve than said plurality of holes in said first tube, so that when said valve is opened, said vapor will pass though said holes in said first tube and through said valve, while said liquid will be retained in said can. 